Stellantis Issues Urgent “Do Not Drive” Advisory for Vehicles with Faulty Takata Airbags
In a significant development, Stellantis has announced an urgent safety warning for approximately 225,000 older model vehicles from Chrysler, Ram, Jeep, and Dodge. Owners are advised not to operate these vehicles until the defective airbags have been replaced, as the inflators pose a risk of explosion.
The Takata airbag recall, which began in 2008, marks the most extensive automotive recall in U.S. history, implicating 17 automakers and around 67 million vehicles.
The airbags have been found to deteriorate over time, particularly in warm and humid environments, leading to the potential for explosive rupture. This malfunction can send metal fragments flying into the vehicle’s cabin.
To date, the defective airbags have resulted in at least 28 fatalities and over 400 injuries in the United States alone.
The specific models affected by this latest recall are:
- 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen
- 2005-2015 Chrysler 300
- 2008-2014 Dodge Challenger
- 2006-2015 Dodge Charger
- 2003-2016 Dodge Ram pickups & Sprinter vans
- 2004-2009 Dodge Durango
- 2005-2012 Dodge Dakota
- 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum
- 2007-2016 Jeep Wrangler
Vehicle owners are advised to have their cars towed to a dealership, as driving them poses a significant safety risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 98% of vehicles with Takata airbags have been serviced, but several thousand remain unchecked.
To determine if your vehicle is part of an airbag recall, you can enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. Dealerships will carry out the necessary repairs free of charge.
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